American Imperialism (ch 27/28)

McKinley Tarrif and the Annexation of Hawaii

The tarrif raised taxes on imports on sugar, especially from Hawaii. The efforts to negate the tarrif led to the start of talking about annexing Hawaii.

Apr 25, 1895

Cuba Revolts Against the Spanish

The Cuban citizens decided to try to gain independence from Spain through a Revolutionary War. They were successful with support from the United States in the form of technology and supplies.

Feb 15, 1898

The Explosion of the Maine

The U.S. Naval ship, Maine, mysteriously exploded in the Havana Harbor. United States authorities had suspicions that it was the Spanish, but nothing was ever confirmed. Still, tensions grew between Spain and the U.S.

Apr 11, 1898

McKinley Declares War on Spain

After lasting tensions with the Spanish, unhappiness in the general public finally resulted in McKinley declaring war.

May 1, 1898

Dewey's Attack on the Harbor of Manila

Commodor George Dewey, of the U.S. Navy, sailed with a fleet of ships from Hong Kong to the Spanish harbor in the Phillipines. His fleet attacked ten Spanish ships, detroying them all, without taking a single casualty. This was a major victory for the U.S. in the early parts of the war.

Aug 13, 1898

The U.S. Takes Fort Manila

After Dewey destroyed the Spanish fleet in the Manila Harbor, he was halted by the soldiers inside the fort. In August, reinforcements came in from the U.S. and took the fort.

Aug 18, 1898

Spain Signs Armistice to End the War

After several crushing defeats, the Spanish were forced into submission by the United States Army. This Officially ended the war.

Jan 8, 1900

Hawaii Officially Annexed

Hawaii was officially annexed and became a United State. This gave citizenship to all residents in Hawaii and allowed goods to be shipped from Hawaii without having to pay tax.

Feb 24, 1901

Italy and New Orleans

Tensions rose in between the United States and Italy after an incident where eleven Italians were lynched in New Orleans.

Sep 15, 1901

Robert La Follette Gov. of Wisconsin

noted for his support of reform legislation

Jan 1, 1902

Beginning of Muckraker Movement

Muckrakers were mudslinging magazine dirt-diggers whose sole job was to dig up dirt on Uncle Sam or fat cats and their big corporations.

Feb 25, 1902

Newlands Act

Federal law that funded irrigation projects for the arid lands of the west. Made previously pointless land viable for agriculture and living.

Mar 1, 1902

Anthracite Coal Strike

Miners demanded 9 hour work days and a 20% pay increase, but their boss refused to negotiate, and eventually Roosevelt had to threaten the owners with federal troops. Thanks to Roosevelt's participation, a settlement was reached by winter

Feb 14, 1903

Department of Commerce and Labor established

Its purpose was to investigate and report upon the upon the operations of corporations engaged in interstate commerce. Part of the progressive era reform movements that were anti-corruption and anti-big business.

Feb 25, 1903

Elkins Act

This legislation ended the common practice of railroads granting rebates to big customers like oil and livestock companies.

Feb 25, 1904

Nothern Securities case

As a part of his “trust-busting” efforts to break up big monopolies, President Roosevelt ordered the Dept. of Justice to take the Northern Securities Company to court for violating the Sherman Antitrust Act. The NSC was a trust set up by JP Morgan and James Hill. The Supreme Court ordered the Northern Securities Company to be dissolved.

Nov 13, 1904

Roosevelt wins presidency

Landslide victory over Alton B Parker. Roosevelt administration became known for it’s recommendations for expansion of federal and executive powers, it’s attention to the beginnings of the natural conservation movement, and belief that a strong defense was the best way to deter wars.

Jan 1, 1905

Meat Inspection Act

After “The Jungle” was published, everyone was repulsed by the meat industry, so this legislation was passed to prevent adulterated or misbranded meat from being sold as food and ensure that meat and meat products were processed under sanitary conditions.

Feb 25, 1905

Lochner v New York

Supreme Court ruled that a New York law setting maximum working hours for bakers was unconstitutional. States cannot interfere with most employment contracts because the right to buy and sell labor is a protected by the 14th Amendment. It led to the abrogation of several progressive era and Great Depression laws regulating working conditions.

Jan 1, 1906

Hepburn Act

This was the federal law that let the ICC set maximum railroad rates and extend its jurisdiction. Resulted in the discontinuation of free passes to loyal shippers.

Jan 1, 1906

Pure Food and Drug Act

A result of muckraking attacks on the food industry, this act was passed to protect the public from contamination of food and products identified as healthful without scientific support.

Jan 1, 1907

"Roosevelt Panic"

This was a short economic downturn that was entirely blamed on Roosevelt because od the way he altered the economy with his antitrust legislation as soon as he came into office

Jun 24, 1908

The Death of Grover Cleveland

On June 24, 1908,Cleveland, who was still in office, finally lost a long battle with cancer.

Oct 1, 1908

Model T Ford

The first mass-produced American automobile came out. It was an indicator of technological advancement and a prospering economy.

Apr 8, 1913

Ratification of the Seventeenth Amendment

Established the direct election of US senators as a result of the progressive era's reform movement.

Feb 24, 1917

Puerto Rico Given U.S. Citizenship

The residents of Puerto Rico were given full citizenship of the Untied States and promised protection from the U.S. Army

Jan 1, 1920

Migration to cities/Immigration increases

By 1920, the majority of Americans were living in cities. A huge wave of immigrants were changing the face of the nation, particularly in cities.

Aug 18, 1920

Nineteenth Amendment Gives Women the Right to Vote

At the peak of the progressive era with reformers pushing for women's rights, women gained the right to vote. Reformers were convinced that women would bring greater morality to politics.

Period: Jan 1, 1890 to Dec 31, 1920

Chapter 27 & 28

Period: Jan 1, 1890 to Dec 31, 1920

Progressive Era

Major reform time. Reformers were middle class citizens and immigrants that felt that they were being pressured from all sides and had little wiggle room. They were most concerned with social issues like women's suffrage, better working conditions/hours/wages, and the like.

Period: Jan 1, 1919 to Dec 31, 1920

Red Scare/Racial Tensions

As the progressive spirit waned in America after the First World War, isolationist attitudes were revived, and "normalcy" (Americans looking inwards to national culture rather than out to foreign matters) developed into a brutal blame game. Thousands of suspected radicals were jailed or deported and anti-immigrant passions flared. Racial riots scorched many northern citiesin the summer of 1919, and saw the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan.